SHIPPING.

Press, Volume XVI, Issue 2188, 23 April 1870, Page 2

SHIPPING.

Sailed for Canterbury, Ceres, 22nd Feb ; for Auckland, Hausgina on 28th January; Mary Bhepherd on 2nd February ; for Dun*

edin, Sally Brown on 24th January ; for Nelson, Albion* on 17th February; for Otigo, Equator on 29th January ; Pembroke Castle on Ist February ; for Wellington, Alexandrina on 16th Fobriiary. Loading for Auckland — Argyleshiro, Santon, Sydenham, Schiehallon. For" Canterbury—Ram Bay ; for Otago, Achilles and Dunfillan ; for Wellington, Star of the South. London, Feb. 25. The Queen returned to Windsor in improved health. A Concert and Drawing-room Levees are announced to take place at Buckingham Palace. The Mordaunt divorce trial attracted considerable attention during the past fortnigh. The issue put to the jury on the trial was to determine whether Lady Morduant was in a fit state of mind to instruct her solicitors at the time the citation was delivered. No doubt she is insane at present. Adultery has been charged against Viscount Cole, Sir Frederick Johnstono, Bart., Colonel Farqubar, and the Prince of Wales. The Prince and Sir Frederick Johnstone were examined on oath as viitnesses ; both denied any improprieties. The learned Judge left the case to the jury, who found that the respondent (Lady Mordaunt) was insane at the time the citation was delivered. A number of private measures has been introduced into Parliamen t; amongst them Bills relating to the disestablishment of the Welsh Church; clerical disabilities; electoral disabilities for women ; ballot bill ; marriage with deceased wife's sister ; payment of members; bill for the release of Bishops from attendance at the House of Lords. The debating power is much weakened, owing to many of the leading men of Parliament being absent through illness, including Mr Bright, Lord Cairns, Mr Disraeli, The Attorney-General, Mr Bruce, Mr Gladstone, and Walpole. A comprehensive scheme has been introduced by the Lord Chancellor, for reorganising the higher Courts and promoting a final Court of Appeal. «4Lord Derby declines the leadership of the Conservative party. Mi Odger, the Liberal candidate, was defeated at Southwark by Colonel Bereaford, a Conservative. Leonard Edwards intends to prosecute Mi Gladstone for branding him as a public defaulter. The Government intend to prosecute the father of the Welsh fasting girl and the watch committee. Terrible weather has prevailed during the month. Communication has been interfered with through the country. The telegraph wires were broken down and the rivers were choked with ice. The Channel steamers ceased running. The railway trains were delayed, and many deaths occurred through the excessive cold. Similar inclemencies were felt all through Europe. The jury were again divided on the trial of Barrett for the attempted murder of Captain Lambert. Broadhead, of Sheffield notoriety, hag returned from America. Ho could not obtain employment in the States, owing to his infamous notoriety in connection with the Trades' Unions. The order of merit has been conferred upon Adelina Patti by the Emperor of Russia. < Mr David Plunkett has been returned foi Dublin University, and Mr Dowse, the sew Irish Solicitor-General, member for Londonderry, Munßter, is elected for Mallow. The obituary of the month includes the Bishops Chichester and Kilmore, Dr Stevens, the Dean of Rochester, Due de Broglio, Major-General Gordon, Lieutenant-General Windham, Sir Hugh Bates Marshal, Sii James Vallentine, Sheriff of London, George Hogarth, press writer, and Baron Nathanie] Rothschild, of Paris. Commercial matters are good. A good demand for money exists, and full bank rates are maintained. The London wool sales opened on the 17th February. The arrivals consisted of 7233 bales. There was a crowded attendance of both home and foreign buyers, and considerable spirit manifested, the closing prices being quoted as firmer. Since the opening day the competition has remained extremely brisk. A slight advance has taken place in some descriptions of sound Port Phillip and New Zealand combing fleeces, scoured, and Australian of all kinds, is quoted at id to Id dearer than at the end of last sales. London, March 15. A duel has taken place at Madrid between Prince Henry of Bourbon and the Duke de Montpensier. The prince was shot dead. The Irish Land Bill was read a second time without opposition. Discount, 3 per cent. Consols, 92 £ to 92|. The first series of wool sales commenced on the 17th February, when 37,772 balee were catalogued, including 13,103 bales Port Phillip, 5951 Sydney, 3042 Adelaide, 400 Tasmanian, 1690 New Zealand, 13,035 Cape, and 551 sundries. The tendency which was firm at first became more marked till the price rose a penny higher for descriptions. The sales closed on the sth March. The Australian January mails via Marseilles were delivered on the 20th; via Brindisi on the 18th February; and via Southampton on the 25th. The Queen left Osborne for Windsor on the 18th in better health, though unable to open Parliament. The Prince and Princess of Wales returned to Marlborough House from Gunstone Hall on the 3rd of February. The Prince and Princess of Wales attended a grand ball given by the honorable the Artillery Corps on the 9th of February. Parliament was opened by Commission on the Bth. The speech stated that a Bill for the amendment of the land laws in Ireland would be introduced on a comprehensive scale; that the naturalisation question would be dealt with ; the abolition of religious tests in Universities. In the House of Lords the Marquis of Huntley moved the address, which was seconded by Earl Fingal. In the House of Commons the address was moved by Captain F. Egerton, and Beoonded by Sir C. Dilko. On the 10th the committee on elections declared the election of O'Donovan Rossa to be void. On the 13th Mr Gladstone introduced the Irish Land Bill in a speech of three hours. The second reading was fixed for the 7th of March. On the 12th of February Sir C J Laurence gave notice that on an early day he would ask the Colonial Secretary whether free immigration to Western Australia had been revived, and whether in view of the present widespread distress, the Government were deter* mined to send out free emigrants.

On the 14th Mr Leatham moved for leave jto bring in a Bill to legalise vote by ballot, | which was granted. On the 20th, Mr Monsell, replying to Mr McGuire, said that as yet the Government had received no news respecting New Zealand but that the last accounts were satisfactory, and that papers in the hands of the printer, would shortly be published. In tho House of Lords on tho 14th, Lord Carnarvon called attention to the present relation between England and tho colonies, deploring the present position, and reviewing the various proposals for effecting closer union. Ho refused to accept the conclusion that no improvement wa* possible, and declared that wo were drifting into severance. He regretted that the usual courtesy of Lord Granville should have deserted him in his recent colonial despatches. He urged the Government to come to some understanding: on the subject. He believed the question was one chiefly of military organisation, and strongly condemned the policy of withdrawing the troops. They were not only a nucleus around which the colonial forces might form, but the symbol of the unity of the empire. Lord Granville replied, defending the Government. He denied that any jealousy existed between the colonies and the mother country. He pointed out that the eeleet committee of tho House had recommended the leaving of tho colonies to self-government, and that they had provided for their own defence. The true policy was to keep tho troops at home, relying on the navy for the defence of the colonies. Lord Derby, who spoke for the firßt time in the House of Lords, said that however satisfactory the present relations might be, it would be well to provide against emergencies. The estimates for the army and navy have been brought down. The total amount required for the service of tho latter is £9,250,530, showing a decrease of £746,111, principally effected in the victualling, clothing departments, dockyards, steam machinery, and ships built by contract. Total of the estimates for the army, £12,975,000, being a reduction of 12,308 men for the present year. Obituary—Lieutenant-General Bloomfiold, Sir J. W. Gordon, Sir Wm. G. Colebrook, Dr. John Bright, Lady Elphiston, Sir J. H. Cooke, Rev. C. Townsend. In reference to the colonial debate, tho "Times" says—"Lord Carnarvon has rendered a public service by calling attention to the relations arising between the colonies and the mother country ; the chief good effected was theelicitingofthefact that the Colonial Office is not very serious in giving offensive answer. It was a matter for discussion and for the conference of opinions. The present system, by its very pliancy, produces mutual friendliness which rigid political bonds might perhaps stifle. The blue book, containing correspondence from Lord Granville with the colonies respecting the conference proposed to be held in London, has been published. It strongly disapproved of the project. The released Fenian prisoners were entertained at dinner in Dublin. Among the company were the sons of O'Donovan, Rossa, and Luby. Bernal Osborne has been returned for Waterford. A disturbance took place. The great billiard match on the 11th February between John Roberts, the champion, and Cooke, was won by the latter. Great complaints are being made of the delay in the transmission of telegraphic messages since the Government took up the service. The National Emigration League sent a deputation, which urged the Government to grant assistance for its object. Mr Gladstone declined to commit the Government to any steps. The British Colonial Emigration Society has collected nearly £6000. They think that people will not voluntarily subscribe until it is clear that the Government will not aid. Dr Temple, Bishop of Exeter, has announced that his essay in the book " Essays and Reviews " will not appear again with his consent. New South Wales five per cent debentures are quoted at £101 to £102 ; Victoria six per cent at £113 to £114; South Australian, £110 to £111. Wool—Sydney fleece and lambs, 10} d per lb ; scoured, Is to 2s 3d; unwashed 7d to Is. Tallow steady, 465; January to Maroh, 46s 9d to 46a ; March, 465. Australian beef, 43s 9d to 44s ; mutton, 43s 6d to 495. Palm oil slow, 40s id. Hides, Australian, 4d to The state of trade is rather slack, and prices are in buyer's favour. A good export trade ia looked for.